Donald Fentum joined the 3rd Royal Horse Artillery Regiment in 1949. He recounts how he was initially stationed in Kent but volunteered for Korea when an officer visited his local pub looking for recruits.
Don recalls his 6 week journey to Korea and how he initially joined the 179 Independent Mortars, before being assigned to the 61st Mortar Regiment. Against his Dad’s advice, Don volunteered for the observational post at Hill 355 (Kowang San), his main duty was to check and repair communications lines – sometimes in enemy territory and under enemy fire.
Don tells of life on the front lines in Korea, including the dire living conditions, freezing weather, and his experiences with enemy forces. He also outlines the precarious job of an artillery solider, recalling how mortars often exploded at random.
The interview ends with Don’s brief recollection of his time in Germany and Suez after his service in Korea ended.
Don’s incredible first-hand account of the Korean war enhances our understanding of the “forgotten war” and his entertaining anecdotes reinforce his view that “the army runs on its sense of humour”.